The Skills for Health New Ways of Working Database was launched in January 2009 and can be accessed here.  Nationally Transferable Roles provide a template and methodology for creating a more flexible workforce to help reduce waiting times.

All of the following topics shown below are some of those covered on the Skills for Health website - http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk.

• The Career Framework 

o Allied Health Professions Career Framework

o Healthcare Scientists Career Framework. The Department of Health – Modernising Scientific Careers: the UK Way Forward published in February 2010 sets out three main areas of development: a simplifed careers framework, accreditation of education and training programmes and a national curriculum for each healthcare science area.

o Public Health Career Framework. Emphasis is being placed on Health Trainers to address health inequalities – see the Department of Health website for further information.

• Assistant/Associate Practitioner Roles - NHS South Central has carried out an evaluation of assistant and associate practitioner roles "Evaluation of Assistant/Associate Practitioner Roles" (Leach & Wilton for NESC - November 2008). Skills for Health have created a set of core standards for Assistant Practitioners which were published in November 2009 and can be accessed here.
• Competences  
• Emergency Care Practitioners   
• End of Life Care.  The National End of Life Care Programme has worked with Skills for Health and Skills for Care to identify the core skills and knowledge required by Health and Social Care staff in order to deliver high quality end of life care. For further information and to access the core competences document - click here.  The Department of Health published quality markers and measures for end of life care on 30 June 2009 - click here.
• Pathology Profiling
• Sector Qualifications Strategy Action Plan for England 2009 - 2011

Other useful links:

• The Department of Health consultation on a Stroke-specific Education Framework ended in June 2009.  For the latest information on developments in stroke care, including the UK Forum for Stroke Training and the SSEF, click here.
• A commission of experts chaired by Minister Ann Keen was announced in March 2009 to build on the work identified in the Darzi review and look at the future of Nursing and Midwifery.  The final report published in March 2010 emphasises a commitment to delivering “high quality, compassionate care”.  Recommendations include: all Boards should have a Director of Nursing and ward sisters and charge nurses (and community services leader equivalents) should be “visible care champions”.  To access the report, go to - http://cnm.independent.gov.uk/the-report.  See also the NHS Employers website.
  

RESOURCE GUIDE

To access further information on new roles and teams, including workforce planning and design, see section 6 of the Resource Guide.